ABSTRACT

 The study was designed to determine the influence of fast food centers on meal management practices of family in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study are to identify; the social economic characteristics of the families that visit fast food centres, the management practices adopted by fast food centers to promote patronage, the factors that promote the patronage of fast food centers, the benefit of patronizing fast food centres and the dangers of patronizing fast food centres. The research work sought to provide answers to the following questions; what are the socio economic characteristics of families that visit fast food centres in Umuahia North L.G.A Abia state; what are the management practices adopted by fast food centres to promote patronage; what are the factors that promotes patronage of fast food centres; what are the benefits of patronizing fast food centres; what are the dangers of patronizing fast food centres. The following hypotheses were formulated to guide the study; socio economic and demographic characteristics are significant in the sales and consumption of fast food, socio economic and demographic characteristics are insignificant in the sales and consumption of fast food. The ,. · population for this study comprised of all the households in the 23 communities in Umuahia North L.G.A which is estimated to be within 3000-5000 households, the researcher applied the random sampling techniques in choosing the sample size due to the inexhaustible population. The instrument for data collection was a well structured questionnaire which was validated by five lecturers from the Department of Home Economics/Hospitality Management and Tourism in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Descriptive and Inferential statistics was used for data analysis. Result shows that a greater proportions of the respondent in the area are male, mean age of the respondents shows that majority of the respondents were matured, majority had less household size and were self employed respectively. Based on the management practices adopted by fast food centers, majority of the customers considered the management practices service as dependable and consistent which reveal the participants emotions, attitude, beliefs because they show positive or negative emotion towards a concept of selecting a choice best representing their feelings. Furthermore, price is the key element in the customer satisfactions in fast food centre, the charges of the product directly affect the customers. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher therefore recommends that the home economist should organize a nutrition education and awareness campaign to enhance the knowledge of the people to minimize the rate of purchased fast food and the rate at which they consume fried and fatty food in order to maintain a healthy living also stigmatization could be reversed by public enlightenment and support groups.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Declaration

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

Abstract

11

iii

iv

V

VI

IX

x

XI

CHAPTER 1

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Purpose of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Hypotheses

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of Study

CHAPTER2

2.0 Literature Review 13

2.1 Conceptual Framework 13

2.1.1 Concept of fast food centres 13

2.1.2 Classification of fast food services 16

2.1.2.1 The Formal and Informal Fast Food Industry 16

2.1.2.2 Modem Fast Food 17

2.1.3 Trend in the consumption of fast food in Nigeria 18

2.1.4 Factors responsible for increase consumption of fast food in fast food centres 19

2.1.5 Effect of consuming fast food 23

2.1.6 Influence of Fast Foods and Fat Related Diets 27

2.1.7 Meal Management Practices 31

2.1.8 Fast food influences and household meal management practices 33

2.1.8.l Fast Food Disrupts Family Ties 33

2.1.8.2 Snacks instead of Meals 34

2.1.8.3 Fast food destroys household connections and ties 35

2.1.8.4 Decline of Cooking by Career Women 35

2.1.8.5 Lean Body Compromise 36

2.2 Theoretical Framework 37

2.3 Review of Related Empirical Studies 39

2.4 Summary of Reviewed Literature 41

CHAPTER3

3.0 Material and Method 43

3.1 Research Design

43

3.2 Area of the Study

44

3.3 Population of the Study

44

3.4 Sample and Sampling Techniques

44

3.5 Instrument of Data Collection 45

3.6 Validity of the Instrument 45

3.7 Reliability of the Instrument 45 4

3.8 Method of Data Collection

3.9 Method of Data Analysis

3.10 Decision Rule

CHAPTER 4

4.0 Results and Discussion 47

4.1 Socio economic characteristics of the respondents. 47

4.1.1 Sex Distribution of the Respondents 47

4.1.2 Age Distribution of the Respondents 48

4.1.3 Marital Status 49

4.1.4 Family Size 50

4.1.5 Occupation of respondent 51

4.1.6 Fast Food cost per week 52

4.2 Management Practices Adopted by Fast Food Centers 53

4.3 Factors that promote the patronage of fast food in Umuahia 55

4.4 Benefit of Patronizing Fast Food Centers 57

4.5 Dangers of Patronizing Fast Food Centers 58

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations 59

VI1

5.1 Summ ary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendations

REFERENCES

APPENDIX